River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-09-08
RECOVERED BY 4 LETTER

and screecl'ng whistles had startled
the winter morning punctually at
O'Clock. Worse than that it had proved
one Of those veXatiOus periods that
sometimes drop down upon rs without
the slightest prcmonition in which the
>keiu Of life becomes - hope,esly and
ineNiricably tangled that the more we
try to smooth il out the more we add to
its 4, implication and mystery.
Since the wageworker's memorable
summons had warned the tArdy ones
Of their danger on that crisp, clear
winter morning. until low at half-past
o'clock in the afternoon, If had been
a veritable black-letter day with me
both literally and metaphorically- Ny
head swami and my eyes were dim
and blurred. The typewriter. had
been in a sort of a rebellious, cranky
mood. as though protesting against the
fuccSSaut strain and Overwork that had
been put on il.
From the dingy little office on the
third floor. where my monotonous life
was mostly passed, could look upon
the great Brooklyn bridge. which like
huge artery. united the hearts of the
two bustling cities. 1t was previously
seldom that | dared indulge in the
luxury of resting my aching eyes upon
the ceaseleSly moving panorama in the
towering iron bridge; but hen did it
gave me new courage to resume my
tedious work, for | then realized what
world Of active, perpetual workers
there were beside my own humble self.
The sight was rrstful to the eye and
encouraging to the spirits.
1t was half-past o'clock. and a cold
winner Jay The cranky typewriter
had ceased from its petulant clicks. and
rested ia lis corner in moody silence.
a. who should say. I've been shame
fully abused today" The weary fingers
that had for nine hours manipulated it,
KEYS were resting upon the sill of the
solitary window in that dingy office;
and the ewes that had followed steadily
tn, hated alphabet all day We're now rest
Ing upon the wagons rolling over the
smooth WAYS of the bridge, the nOisles-
IL gliding ears and the mass of pedes-
trians. The tired body leaned against
the window easing. as my eyes followed
the movements Of the busy objects a..t
there.
I was present in the body in this
little dirty den, and my eyes seemed to
take in all that passed before them;
but my spirit was way out among the
hills and fields of nv native place, 200
miles away. Thought is 50 independent
of all our surroundings that il can take
rs airily on it, wings and lead Us back
ward or forward 10 scenes once familiar,
or to those in prospective, hoped for,
but not Vet realized.
So. while the weary hands rested on
that bla X window-sill, and that tired
body leaned for support against the cas-
ing. and the aching and dimmed eyes
seemed reveling in a feast of delightful
change from the hateful and complain
ing little typewriter. my spirit was 200
miles away. in DriytOn, Iuiet village
in New Hampshire. and my mental eve
was resting on a pleasant but humble
cottage, and my spiritual ear was drink
ing in the sweet tones of tenderness of
n mother voice. 80 completely had my
present uncnngenial surroundings been
Obliterlted from the tablet of nv mind
that ! felt the soft touch of a mothers
gentle hand upon my head. as she
smOothed my heavy tresses Of brown
hair in the old familiar. caressing way:
and even heard the dear tones a she
uttered them in her musical way:
Courage, nv child! and remember
that "A mothers prayers and love are al
wavs with YOU. and that heavenly Father
who cares for a sparrow. will watch
over YOU.
IL was the only Father | had at the
time, and tried TO trust Him and let
Him take the sad corner of my heart
that my own earthly father more than
filled bv his love and care for me.
Gan you write letter. misS?'
The bridge and all its great moving
panorama had long since vanished from
my physical senses. The village home
soon followed it now into oblivion.
The dear mother face faded and disap-
pearej aud her gentle Injunction,
woven into her blessing. was ruthlesly
shattered by this ferSe. matter-Of-fact
sentence, exploded 50 unexpectedly into
nv ear
had come out of my dream-life with
a shock that left me a moment speech
less looked at the man dumfounded.
He seemed to me what. in my limited
experience. Western miner should look
Hke-a brOad-hrimmed slOuched hat,
coarse trousers inside of heavy boots.
and fur coat which gave him some
thing Of the appearance of a grizzly
bear. such : had seen pictured in INV
schOOl-bool : He had. however, a
pleasant fare, which was both Kind and
respectful, and was man probably
not more thar s.
Could | write a letter. Well Could
a human machine rotate and move in
its well worn grooves? Could type
writer reproduce dictated speech or
thought
Gould write letter. IiEterrO-
gated mechanically, still gazing at
him.
That's about the size Of it. miss, -
he asSeuted. with Just a slight relaxation
from his sad look. but not quit, o hile.
..You see. miss. I've Just come on from
Leadvillc, where I've been ABOUT ten
wears among the mines. | made lots
If money out there. and I've come back
10 settle down. I've got To be in this
city for a week or two on some bust
ness. and | thought l would get some
one Just Ia write To NV old mother
III write your letter. l said.
promptly. The ..old mother" had set
tied the matter with me My slight
vtxation AT being called upon to length
en- nv wearisome day had vanished
with the other faded pictures. But,
added thoughtleSsly. '.why do YOU
not write il YOURSELF Your mother.
am sure. would rather have a letter
written bv YOUR own hand. -"
..Guc>S couldn't do il. miss, he
replied. this time with sad smile.
I'm learning to write. but I'm afraid
the poor old mother couldn't read lny
writing now
He had picked up my pencil sno
WIS ma Eiutr hia~osrTv-,bs,- an a Se~qT